Schoeller Wins&nbsp;Guides' Choice Award

August 31, 2004 – Seattle, WA Following an in-depth field testing program, Schoeller Switzerland is the recipient of the 2004 “American Alpine Institute Guides’ Choice Award” for schoeller®-dryskin-extreme fabric used in Mammut’s mountaineering Champ Pants and New Age Jacket, also featuring the multi-purpose 3XDRY® finish. Whether rock, ice or snow climbing, this highly functional soft-shell fabric is recognized for its high performance and durability.

“We’re extremely pleased to have received this award. dryskin-extreme was developed specifically for and has been the choice of many worldwide manufacturers of mountaineering apparel,” explains Tom Weinbender, President Schoeller Textil USA, Inc. “Schoeller continues to concentrate on the input provided by alpine guides and extreme users worldwide and this directs us to incorporate the latest technologies to fabrics which meet these demands.”

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Over the past year schoeller®-dryskin-extreme was field tested by a core group of professional guides of the Institute. According to this independent jury, the intensity and constancy of use, the wear and stress that the gear receives during tests corresponds to the many years of use by a recreational climber. “The ‘Guides Choice’ emblem is designed to publicly designate those items of equipment that are outstanding in their class, effective and functional for consumers, and distinguished by their durability and performance,” said AAI President, Dunham Gooding. This product was tested internationally under harsh conditions over an eighteen month period. It proved to be abrasion resistant, breathable and comfortable to wear.

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Used in the outdoor market in jackets and pants, this schoeller®-dryskin-extreme soft-shell is lightweight, provides weather protection, freedom of movement and excellent moisture control. In addition, it is highly breathable and due to the use of Cordura® extremely abrasion resistant. The 3XDRY® finish wicks moisture internally, significantly increases water-repellency externally and the garments dry considerably faster. The combination of dryskin fabrics with a 3XDRY® finish is one of the best sellers for the company. In the coming seasons, manufacturers like Mammut, Henri Lloyd, Cloudveil, Beyond Fleece, GoLite, Phenix, Goldwin, Marmot, or Casa Artiach are introducing products with this performance-promoting soft-shell fabric.

The prestigious Guide’s Choice award is given annually at the summer Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City, Utah to select items of equipment and clothing comparatively evaluated through the American Alpine Institute’s international field testing program. This highly sought after recognition designates technical gear and clothing to be of the highest quality in their product category. “We talk to our guides and research different products to determine what to field test on the basis of innovative design for mountaineering, ice, rock or expedition climbing,” said Thierry Werderits, AAI Equipment Test Manager.

Outdoor Innovation of the Year 2004: NanoSphere® by Schoeller wins the European Outdoor Award

Sevelen, Switzerland (August 31, 2004) - Once a year Europe’s, leading outdoor magazines award the most important prize in the sector: the European Outdoor Award. In July 2004 Schoeller Switzerland was awarded this much sought-after prize in Friedrichshafen for its innovative water and dirt resistant NanoSphere® finish technology. Water simply runs off the nano-surface of clothing with the NanoSphere® finish. Nor can staining substances such as ketchup, honey, coffee or red wine take hold. And even if they fail to run off of their own accord, the stain can easily be rinsed off under running water. In addition, textiles with NanoSphere® are robust, abrasion-resistant, long-lasting and have a high level of washing permanence. The NanoSphere® finish meets the bluesign® Standard.

From soft-shell to shoes: innovations with NanoSphere®

In the coming seasons, outdoor brands like Berghaus, Mammut, Raichle and Schöffel and manufacturers of protective work equipment like Pfanner are showing their new products with nanometric stain protection. The “inherent self-cleaning effect” is also found in the new jackets from Bugatti, Daniel Hechter, Columbia- Korea or soft- shell innovations from The North Face, Korea. In the USA companies like Beyond Fleece (outdoor trousers/military trousers), Cloudveil (outdoor trousers), Granite Gear (backpacks) or Polo Ralph Lauren (skiwear) use this outstanding high-tech application. The NanoSphere® finish technology is suited for many textile applications such as outdoor, leisure and sports clothing, business suits and protective work equipment as well as home furnishing and medical applications. The forward-looking finish technology is currently offered exclusively by Schoeller Textil AG (Switzerland) and its joint venture company Schoeller FTC Ltd. (Hong-Kong and Taiwan).

Established in 1868, Schoeller Textil AG specializes in state-of-the-art fabrics and innovative textile technologies that appeal to a wide range of markets (sports, active and casual lifestyle, fashion apparel, footwear, workwear, home furnishings and medical). Additional awards include the 2004 European Outdoor Award and last summer’s ISPO Outdoor Award both recognizing its innovative water and dirt resistant NanoSphere® finish technology as well the Company has received awards for its moisture management oriented feelgood technology 3XDRY®. Headquartered in Switzerland (Sevelen), it is supported by its subsidiaries Schoeller Turkey Ltd. (Istanbul), Schoeller Korea Inc. (Seoul), Schoeller USA Inc. (Seattle) and Schoeller Far East Ltd. (Hong Kong).

Furthermore, the brand “Schoeller Switzerland” is represented by agents in all the major distribution countries. The company is involved in two joint ventures Schoeller FTC Ltd. (Hong Kong and Taipei), as well as Schoeller India PVT Ltd. (Mumbay) and holds shares in Rotecno AG (Stabio), specializing in medical textiles. All Schoeller products ensure the highest standard of quality. Schoeller successfully achieves a perfect balance between fashion, function and comfort.